St Petes area

The 2 Minnies · 9 Jun 21, 02:35 PM

Looking at having a couple of nights on the coast if we get to go in October this year.

Would like somewhere on the beach, preferably somewhere where we can walk to shops, bars, restaurants etc as it would be nice not to have to use the car for a couple of days.

Any suggestions for best area and nice hotels etc. Just 2 adults.

Thanks x

abiknox · 9 Jun 21, 02:53 PM

The Grand Plaza is a very popular one with Dibbers. It has Bongos beach bar which is great.

**ChoppyGirl** · 9 Jun 21, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by abiknox

The Grand Plaza is a very popular one with Dibbers. It has Bongos beach bar which is great.

I can vouch for here as we spent a night in 2019. It�s been refurbed and called Bellwether now.

Sat at Bongos

View from the room

They have a licence to serve alcohol on the beach. Resort fee includes beach cabana

Food at Bongos

sparkles18 · 9 Jun 21, 05:04 PM

The Grand Plaza has just recently reopened after a refurb and has the new name of the Bellwether Beach Resort.

bellwetherbeachresort.co... nt=Jun2021_RS

**princess allie** · 9 Jun 21, 05:41 PM

We have stayed twice at the Grand Plaza, but after it�s refurb the prices appear to have trebled! So we looked elsewhere for this year. We are going to Clearwater, but on the Sandkey, so just a bit out of the hustle and bustle, but still a beachfront location. There is a Jolly Trolley which takes you in to Clearwater, so you don�t have to drive.

**Sparksy72** · 9 Jun 21, 06:59 PM

We stay at the Beachcomber Resort at St Pete, it isn�t a luxury resort but it has a couple of pools, is on the beachfront and only a 10 min walk along the beach down to Bongo�s. It has Jimmy B�s Bar on-site beach bar, which has live music daily (we love this!), they also serve great bar food. Next door there is Rick�s reef which does great breakfasts but also is a cool bar for drinks/snacks, the Toasted Monkey is another great eatery on the other side of the hotel. There is a 7 eleven and also a dunkin donuts (they do awesome breakfasts too!) directly across the road. There is a publix and chick-fil a short walk down the road, which is great for snacks, alcohol or general supplies. We have really missed not being able to visit!

N52939 · 9 Jun 21, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by sparkles18

The Grand Plaza has just recently reopened after a refurb and has the new name of the Bellwether Beach Resort.

bellwetherbeachresort.co... nt=Jun2021_RS

Not re-opened as yet and next projected date is July, but should have been open in April (lots of disappointed wedding parties) due to major delays. DW was at Bongos this past weekend talking with bar staff she knows. Pricing has gone way up (mentioned $400 per room / night). Love Bongos though which has remained open during the refurb.

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

We stay at the Beachcomber Resort at St Pete, it isn�t a luxury resort but it has a couple of pools, is on the beachfront and only a 10 min walk along the beach down to Bongo�s. It has Jimmy B�s Bar on-site beach bar, which has live music daily (we love this!), they also serve great bar food. Next door there is Rick�s reef which does great breakfasts but also is a cool bar for drinks/snacks, the Toasted Monkey is another great eatery on the other side of the hotel. There is a 7 eleven and also a dunkin donuts (they do awesome breakfasts too!) directly across the road. There is a publix and chick-fil a short walk down the road, which is great for snacks, alcohol or general supplies. We have really missed not being able to visit!

Beachcomber has had a recent refurb as well and also a fan of Jimmy B's. Toasted Monkey has now moved to a new larger location at the corner of Sunset / 75th and no longer beach front. The old Toasted is now Coconut Charlies and part of the Hilton Garden Inn which has replaced the Howard Johnson that used to be there. Haven't had the chance to try it out.